Hey friends,
First of all, a warm welcome to all my new subscribers, I hope you enjoy what you get on your inbox almost every week. This time I want to share with you what went on the creation of the first issue of my photo-zine Xavografica; but rather than a how to guide (which there are lots out there already) I want to share the inspiration, the creative process, and the purpose behind Xavografica.
But first, a little bit of background story:
Background.
I’m a sucker for several of the artistic movements that originated in the first half of the twentieth century, mostly in the visual and plastic arts and in particular movements like Modernism, Constructivism, Bauhaus, Dada, Functionalism, Surrealism, Abstract impressionism, Art-Deco and Mexican muralism which became a huge influence in my work as a photographer and artist.
I went with the name Xavografica because it sounds retro but contemporary at the same time, it doesn’t follow any trends and doesn’t contain a photographic pun but it does describe a graphic practice and it has part of my name in it so it naturally becomes a personal brand.
Xavo is how my friends called me in school, nobody after the age of 18 has called me Xavo so I thought I could bring something from the happiest days of my life into the present.
A zine?
Yes, a zine, self published, almost bootlegy, big and bold, like a tabloid, that takes a lot of space so you can fold it, rustic so you can yank pages out to frame pictures if you like or even cut them out to make a collage. Something not too serious because I don’t take life too serious.
I love the idea of creating something tangible that looks quite crafty and where I can pay a tribute to all my influences mentiones above in different issues, with different subjects so every issue will have the same feel but will look different. Are you with me?
Don’t get me wrong, if the opportunity presents, I’d love to make a photo-book with a respected publisher, but for now, I want to go solo and create my own publication with my readers and followers in mind allowing them to own a piece of my work that has 100% been made by these hands. Ok, maybe 90% ‘cause I don’t do the printing.
Inspiration.
For Issue 1, the Dada movement and Russian Constructivism had a huge influence in the visual element, particularly poster design and the colour palettes distinctive of both movements; on top of that, the work of Alexander Rodchenko served as a huge source of inspiration for the design and layout of the zine:
Halfway through the design process I encountered a problem: the photo-essay takes place in Mexico City so I had to find a way to make the ideas laid out work cohesively with the photographs presented and relate them to my home town. I tried different patterns and motives with a prehispanic theme but nothing was fitting the mood nor improving the aesthetic of the zine. On a second attempt, I had all of the images laid out againts these red and black backgrounds but it didn’t work either, the zine looked like a worker’s union communist manifesto. So I walked away from for a couple of days and the answer finally came while watching a small documentary about the metro system in Mexico City and noticing the bright, punchy orange used on the trains and some of the signage:
Once I had the aesthetic sorted, the rest was just minor details. The lay out and order of the photos to tell a story, what text to incorporate, what font to use which by the way the font I use for all the text is similar to the one used in the design of the Mexico City Olympic Games in 1968:
The purpose.
Cables, messy phone lines, telephone poles, and one engineer who came to save the day became the main theme of the first issue of Xavografica.
I invite you to get a copy of the zine and observe the beauty in these messy installations, to notice the grain and the finer details, they’re there for a purpose and to discover the analogy between my mind and these photographs as a story.
What do you think, have I convinced you to get your copy of Xavografica? Remember, it is limited to 50 copies per issue and postage is free almost everywhere in the world!
Issue 2 will be available in the first weeks of 2024
Resources:
- has a helpful step by step guide on how to make a zine:
The International Dada Archive has an incredible database of artwork in the subject:
International Dada Library Website.
Tate has a great archive of Russian Constructivism art online and in display at the gallery in London: Tate Gallery Russian Constructivism.
The MOMA has a great resource of links and archives to the work of Alexander Rodchenko: Rodchenko at the MOMA.
Phaidon has just released a wonderfull book about zines: Copy Machine Manifestos.
I love what has inspired you to make this very good zine. Looking forward to seeing what you have planned for early next year!
This was super interesting to read. Now I am really looking forward to receiving my mail from you (no pressure though)!